As long as Gonzalez stays pain-free, he intends to play for Mexico in the Classic. When he was announced he’d be shut down, Gonzalez reportedly never budged on his desire to participate in the event.

The Dodgers are slowly getting their injured players back onto the field. Scott Kazmir returned to the mound Wednesday night. Brandon McCarthy debuts Friday against Arizona. Andre Ethier has had an excellent spring to this point.

Cody Bellinger, Gonzalez’s presumable eventual replacement, hit a towering home run Sunday. The start of the Bellinger era won’t begin quite yet, and Gonzalez goes into 2017 looking to further justify why first base at Chavez Ravine will be his for the foreseeable future.

About The Author

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.